Regarding "Politics and the high costs of Oregon prisons" (Dec. 20): Steve Duin sees the potential for big crime-control gains and taxpayer savings in the work of the Oregon Commission on Public Safety. Unfortunately, in making sound arguments for reform, he misconstrues a crucial fact.

The column says the Pew Center on the States, which provided technical assistance to the commission, included some "homicidal inmates" in its definition of "low-risk" offenders. Pew simply reported numbers using Oregon's own data and risk-classification tool.

That tool, which has been scientifically proved to accurately predict recidivism, identified a troubling trend in our state corrections system: a growing number of offenders entering Oregon prisons are low-risk to reoffend and nonviolent.

This shift is a crucial part of the equation as the Legislature begins its deliberations on a more effective, less expensive way to keep Oregon's communities safe.

COLETTE S. PETERS Peters is director of the Oregon Department of Corrections.

City Hall redo

Regarding "Changes to look for with the new cast at City Hall" (Jan. 1): $30,000 for painting and $28,000 for installing carpet in Mayor Charlie Hales' suite and city Commissioner Steve Novick's office to "freshen" them up?

His position is based on his assertion that discrimination is not an action but a motive for action. Wrong. Discrimination is most certainly an action. Firing someone from his or her job, regardless of motivation, is in and of itself an action. One must act in order to fire. Now, had he used the word "prejudice" instead, his argument would make more sense.

Our various legislatures have done the right thing by outlawing many forms of discrimination, a clear action that negatively affects millions of people, based on a number of various prejudices. Yes, it's difficult to root out illegal discrimination based on prejudices. No one said it would be easy.

To paraphrase a well-known politician: We don't demand civil rights for all of our citizens because it is easy; we do it because it is the right thing to do, even though it is difficult.

ED LUNN Southwest Portland

Bravo to Paul F. deLespinasse for his clear thinking on discrimination law and government power.

Gauging the motivation of a person's action is uncertain at best. Giving victims of discrimination the power to decide if a crime has been committed, based on their assessment of motive, is clearly subjective, as well as foolish. For example, people do not have a right not to be offended by contrary views, as is found in campus speech codes.

The idea that government officials can or should resolve such things is a huge waste of time and resources.

JAY BARBER Sherwood

Check your lights

We take trips from Spirit Mountain to Happy Valley fairly often.

In the past four trips, we encountered 68 oncoming cars with only one headlight, which will get you a fine.

Better check your lights once in a while and save some money.

RON KIRKELIE Happy Valley

A touching story

It was a pleasure to read the touching, articulate story of the long-term relationship of Eugene Woodworth and Eric Marcoux on the front page of the Jan. 3 Living section of The Oregonian ("For 60 years 'there wasn't anything else'").

It made me proud to live in a time when two men who love each other no longer have to pretend to be brothers.

GAYLE TWEED Monitor

Veterans float

I think it is a wonderful thing to honor Korean War veterans.

I also think that given the state of the federal budget and the controversy concerning the Pentagon and Department of Defense cuts, we should question the outlay of almost a quarter of a million dollars ($247,000) for a float in Pasadena's Tournament of Roses ("Parade float to honor vets of 'forgotten' Korean War," Jan. 1).

Perhaps one of the defense contractors could afford the money, but our budget cannot.

ETHEL KATZ Northwest Portland

The sequel

Fiscal cliff II, coming to you on Thursday, Feb. 28, at 11:59 p.m.

Be sure to tune in for the best drama and angst of the year.

SARA SCHREIBER Corvallis

Access to water

Regarding "Entangled in habitat fencing" (Dec. 30):

Can't we allow wild animals access to water without the risk of them being maimed or killed by barbed wire fencing? Animals have enough challenges in their daily struggle for survival, including highways, private property fences, people with guns, etc., without having to contend with barbed wire fencing in order to reach water.

Putting fences along streams to protect salmon is an ill-conceived idea that should be remedied as soon as possible.

VICTORIA WILKINSON Northeast Portland

Bowled over

I remember the days when there were five or six bowl games. Now we have some 35, with every Tom, Dick and Harry qualifying.

When are we going to have a Toilet Bowl? There were several teams this year that would have made it.